BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO VOTE ON SUPERVISOR WIENER’S FIRST IN NATION ORDINANCE TO MANDATE WATER RECYCLING SYSTEMS IN NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND ESTABLISH POLICY OF USING RECYCLED WATER FOR CLEANING AND IRRIGATING PUBLIC SPACES

Posted on June 16, 2015

Ordinance will require onsite water reuse systems in new large developments and require all developments throughout the city to go through a water reuse analysis with the Public Utilities Commission. The ordinance also will set city policy that all irrigation and cleaning of public spaces should be done with non-drinking water within the next 5 years

WHEN: Tuesday, June 16th, 2:00 PM

WHERE: Board of Supervisors Meeting

San Francisco City Hall

Room 250

WHAT: Today the San Francisco Board of Supervisors will hear legislation sponsored by Supervisor Scott Wiener to require new developments to use onsite water reuse systems – like greywater and blackwater systems – for non-potable uses like toilet flushing and irrigation. The legislation also pushes city departments to use non-potable water for all cleaning and irrigation of public spaces within the next 5 years. Increasing the use of non-potable water will decrease the use of Hetch Hetchy drinking water for irrigation and toilet flushing. The legislation will require new large developments of 250,000 or more square feet to use onsite water reuse systems for non-potable uses, while also requiring all developments citywide 40,000 square feet and above to go through an onsite water reuse analysis by the PUC. These systems include capturing greywater from sinks and laundries, rainwater, and foundation water. The legislation will also make it city policy that within the next 5 years, city departments use only non-potable water for irrigation and cleaning of public spaces, like streets, parks, plazas and medians. City departments must report back within two years on the feasibility and needs required of implementing these policies, including budget costs. The legislation has been endorsed by the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters. The Land Use and Transportation Committee unanimously endorsed the legislation last Monday.